Sharing the wealth: A model for brief mental health volunteer work in developing countries.

Abstract

Much needed mental health services can be provided to developing countries using a model including brief, repeated consultation trips and the help of a translator. The authors describe their experiences in Central America, which led to the development of this model. Entry into the country, exit, and follow-up are addressed as well as mental health work in the context of language and cultural differences. Clinical methods that were found to be useful in the context of this model are noted.

Investing the Wealth: Intentional Strategies for Psychology Training in Developing Countries.

“…While affirming Pedulla and Pedulla's (2001) short-term model for delivering services, we believe it is equally important to think of long-term strategies for investing the wealth. Investing in less developed countries requires long-term commitments that ultimately result in increasing the psychological resources available within the country.…”

“…In response to the need for psychological training in less developed countries, psychologists and other mental health professionals from the United States have been involved increasingly in international training and service ventures. These endeavors include assessment of mental health needs (Ellens, McMinn, Lake, Hardy, & Hayen, 2000; Levers, 1997; McMinn, Roh, et al, 2001), providing of direct services (Mwiti & Gatewood, 2001; Pedulla & Pedulla, 2001; Weine et al, 2002), and training of local mental health providers and instructors (Bacigalupe, 1998; Bacigalupe & Fuks, 1998; Inger, 1998; McMinn, Meek, Canning, & Pozzi, 2001; Weine et al, 2002). An example of this can be found in an earlier Professional Psychology article in which Pedulla and Pedulla (2001) described an innovative model for cross-cultural service provision.…”